Samuel Leon Shapiro

Samuel Leon Shapiro, age 85, passed away on August 6, 2025 in Alpharetta, Georgia. Sam was born on June 2, 1940 to Anne and Jacob Shapiro in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Toby (Rosen) Shapiro, his children Nancy (Todd) Tilson, Laurie (Emil) Raab, and Karen (Warren) Furst; and grandchildren, Carly and Taylor Tilson, Adam and Benjamin Raab, and Matthew and Rachel Furst.

Sam earned his Juris Doctor from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1965 and enjoyed a distinguished 57-year legal career with Kavinoky Cook, LLP. His practice spanned health care, leasing, business law, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, commercial finance, construction law, and banking. A recognized authority in equipment leasing, he authored numerous publications on the subject and served as Chairman, Co-Chairman, and Lecturer for the Practicing Law Institute’s National Panel on Equipment Leasing.

Sam served as President of the University at Buffalo Law Alumni Association, as Director of the University at Buffalo Law Alumni Association, and a member of the Law School’s Dean’s Advisory Council. He received the University at Buffalo Law Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for Private Practice, recognizing his leadership by example as a private practitioner. Sam was also named among The Best Lawyers in America in the specialties of Corporate Law and Health Care Law, included in “Who’s Who in Law” by Buffalo Business First and the Buffalo Law Journal, and recognized as one of the New York Area’s Top Lawyers in Corporate Law by New York Magazine.

In addition to his rewarding legal career, Sam served on the boards of many charitable and civic organizations. He was President of Temple Beth Zion, Member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo, President of the Rosa Coplon Jewish Home and Infirmary, Vice Chairman of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Campus, and Vice Chairman and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Erie County Medical Center Corporation.

As distinguished as Sam’s career was, nothing brought him more joy than being an adoring husband, proud father, and doting papa. His love for his family was boundless, and he cherished every moment with them. He celebrated their successes as if they were his own and offered unwavering support through life’s challenges. To Sam, family was everything. Sam leaves behind a legacy of strength, generosity, and enduring love for family and friends. He will be remembered for his passion for the law, philanthropic spirit, and devotion to his family.

A private graveside funeral will be held on August 8, 2025, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. A memorial service will follow at 6:45 PM on August 11, 2025, at Village Park Alpharetta in Alpharetta, Georgia. In honor of Sam’s memory, contributions may be made to Temple Beth Zion in Buffalo, New York, or to the Alzheimer’s Association.  Arrangements in Atlanta by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.